A Chinese company stunned staff by stacking $26 million in cash at its end-of-year celebration, inviting employees to take home as much money as they could carry.

 

The firm, Henan Kuangshan Crane Co. Ltd., hosted its annual party on February 13, spreading the enormous sum across 800 banquet tables.

 

Beneath bright, colorful lights, sharply dressed employees were seen eagerly sizing up the towering piles of banknotes laid out before them.

 

An estimated 7,000 people attended the company’s celebration.

 

One employee managed to carry home $13,000 worth of cash, according to Korean newspaper Chosun Daily.

 

During the company’s gala, the firm’s boss, Cui Peijun, reportedly said: ‘Why are we giving out washing machines? Do you think gold prices have gone up?

 

‘In previous years, we gave necklaces and rings, bring up the cash and give everyone another 20,000 yuan ($2,800).’

 

He said of the unusual method of handing out bonuses: ‘Some people ask why we don’t just transfer the money to their accounts, but that way, it’s just cold numbers.’

 

Cui holds 98.88% of the company’s shares, effectively returning a major portion of his dividends to employees.

 

The company, which makes and hires out cranes, was set up in 2002 and has business operations in over 130 countries.

 

It has a history of generosity towards its employees.

 

In 2024, the company recorded a net profit of $38million, of which around $24million was given to employees.

 

In 2023, the firm gave $8.5million to its 40 highest performing workers, with the three best salespeople each earning $730,000.

 

To celebrate International Women’s Day last March, it gave nearly $230,000 in bonuses to nearly 2,000 female employees.

 

Peijun has previously spoken out about his motivation for giving out so much money to his staff: ‘It is not that I love giving out money, it is that young people are burdened with car loans and mortgages and any relief we can offer helps.’